Belt for bias-belted tire



United States Patent 172] Inventors Grover \1. Rye:

Paul E. Helms. Jr.. Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio [2]] Appl. No, 789.048 221 Filed Dec.31. 1968 [45] Patented Dec. 22, 1970 I 73 Assignee The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Akron, Ohio a corporation of Ohio M 1 54] BELT FOR BIAS-BELTED TIRE 25 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs. [52] U.S. CI 152/359 [51] lnt. Cl BlOc 1/00 [50] Field ol'Search 152/359 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,311.152 3/1967 Marzocchi etal.

3.311722 4/1967 Marzocchi et a1.

Primary Examiner-Arthur L. La Point Assistant Examiner-Richard A. Bertsch AttorneysF. W. Brunner and Jack M. Young imum belt weights, especially when used in a bias-belted tire with fiber glass belt cords, polyester carcass cords, and specified cord angles and relationships.

PATENTED 050221970 Y 354831 v AT ORNE v BELT FOR BIAS-BELTED TIRE The foregoing abstract is not'to be taken as limiting the invention of this application, and, in order to understand the full nature and extent of the technical disclosure of this application, reference must be made to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to pneumatic tires, and to woven fabric usable as a ply in such tire; and relates especially to bias-belted tires; 1

A descriptioniof the prior'art bias angle tires and radial ply tires as they relate to the presently disclosed bias-belted tires has been made in detail in the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments." hereinafter so that the development of the tire art may be more readily understood by reference to similar components in the drawing by reference numbers.

This invention obtains a superior quality pneumatic tire in a bias-belted tire by combining the desirable'features of a bias angle tire and a radial ply tire.

An object of the present invention is to obtain a superior quality pneumatic tire by using a bias-belted tire construction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a superior quality bias-belted'tire having the herein specified tire belt cord physical. characteristics of minimum, preferred and/or maximum belt weights.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a superior quality bias-belted tire withv fiber glass belt cords, polyester carcass cords, and/ or specified cord angles and relationships. I

Another object .of the present invention is to provide a superior quality pneumatic tire having a bias-belted construction with (l) excellent treadwear; (2.) improved traction by keeping the tread grooves open; (3) excellent high speed performance and durability; (4) a cool running tire; (5) bruise resistance, ride; stability, handling, cornering, and road holding characteristics; (6) low rolling resistanceyetc.

These and other objects of the. present invention will become more fully apparent by reference to the appended claims as the following detailed description proceeds in reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION orr'a sfonnwmos DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS in FIG. 1, bias-belted pneumatic tire 10 includes internally reinforced carcass 12 including carcasscord layer 14 having a plurality of carcass plies 14p (here shown as two in number as plies 14p] and Mp2), which plies are wrapped around inextensible bead members 16 located at wheel rim during use of the tire; and includes circumferential belt 18, comprising a plurality of circumferential belt or breaker plies 18p in carcass l2 beneath tread 20.

Each ply [4p or 18p is made .of a rubberized fabric composed respectively of a plurality of parallel tire cords 14a or [80 disposed side-by-sidc toform thetire fabric, and coated on each side with a thin layer of rubber carcass stock.

Carcass plies 14p are so arranged that generally parallel carcass cords 14a connect, and extend from, one bead in of tire 10 to the other spaced-a'partbead 16 with cords 14a of respec- A plurality of superimposed breaker or belt plies 18p, bias cut with belt cords 18a of adjacent plies crossed, are positioned in the crown of tire 10, circumferentially around carcass plies 14p, bisected by tire centerline .CL, and beneath ground-engaging tire tread 20 having thereon suitable tread elements 20a, such as a pattern of grooves, ridges, etc.

After receiving shaped carcass l2 and applied belt 18 and tread 20 on a tire-building machine, tirell) is cured in a mold in the usual manner. Then, finished bias-belted tire 10 in FlGS.-I and 2 has carcass 12 with sidewalls l3, bead members 16, shoulders 19 and 19', and tread 20.

Cords 14a and 18a may be made of any suitable filamentary material. For example, cords 14a and 18a of plies 14p and 18p may be made of a synthetic textile material, such as rayon, nylon or polyester. Also, cords 18a inplies 18p may be made of any of the last mentioned synthetic. materials; any suitable high modulus and relatively inextensible material, such as metallic wire, such as steel wire, or (nonmetallic) fiber glass; or any combination of any two or more of these materials such as in a merged cord.

Tire 10 has been found to have an especially desirable combination of advantages when carcass cords 14a are polyester material and cords 18a are a singles or other type cord of fiber glass filaments (nonmetallic filament) with each cord being formed of a plurality of extruded, continuous filaments, and especially when the hereinafter mentioned preferred cord angles are used.

The word cord, as used herein, isused in the terminology of the tire trade when referring to carcass cords 14a, belt cords 18a, cord angle B or C, and cord or cords generically; and the word "cord thus used is intended to include: (1 in the terminology of the textile trade plied yarn; singles yarn with 0", low, medium, or high twist; a cord or cable made of twisted or plied yarns; etc., and (2) in the terminology of the metal trade wire filament, cord, cable, etc. For example, polyester carcass cords are usually true textile cords, while fiber glass belt cords 18a generally take the form of singles yarn or plied yarn with 0" or low twist so as to take maximum advantage of the characteristics of fiber glass filaments.

A superior quality tire, here called and described as biasbelted tire I0, is obtained by combining the desirable features of a bias angle tire and a radial ply tire.

A bias angle tire has multiple carcass plies of parallel cords placed as opposed angles, and symmetrical with the tire centerline with each ply extending from IJGiid-IO-bead through the carcass under the tire treadfThese are similar to only two bias carcass plies 14p (with belt 18 omitted) under tread 20 in tire 10 in FIG. 1. This bias angle tire deflects under load in the tire footprint area to behave as a flexible membrane and to assume a smaller radius there as deflected under load with the result that in the footprint area the plies shorten and the cord angles in the plies change. This action also occurs in the tire sidewall and is called pantographing. Pantographing is desirable in the tire sidewall since it gives an improved ride by providing bump and vibration damping properties; but is not desirable in the tread since it distorts the thread elements, wears off tread by a rubbing action with the road, and increases temperature buildup.

A radial ply tire has one or move carcass plies going sub stantially radially from bead-to-bead with a belt of multiple plies of parallel cords handing the carcass under the tire tread. This belt is similar to belt 18 (without carcass plies hip) in tire 10 in FIG. 1. This radial ply tire can be visualized as the belt acting like a fixed circumference steel band rolling on the pavement. lts circumference would be the same whether it is circular or is deformed into elliptical or semielliptical shape. Thus. the revolutions per mile are relatively independent of load or inflation pressure. Since the tread area will not pantograph, the fixed circumference hoop (belt) of a radial ply tire gives tread stability resulting an improved traction and tread wear. The sidewalls of a radial ply tire will not pantograph due to its carcass configuration.

Bias-belted tire combines the flexible membrane and fixed circumference hoop type of operation, i.e., maintaining pantographing in the sidewall and eliminating pantographing in the tread. Principles involved in constructing such a tire can be divided into (a) necessary components and (b) degree of improved traction by keeping the tread grooves a open; (3)

excellent high speed performance and durability; (4) a cool running tire; (5) good bruise resistance, ride, stability,

handling, cornering, and road holding characteristics; and (6) low rolling resistance; etc.

The degree of restriction in tire 10 controls the behavior of the tire components. The degree of restriction is dependent on inflated tire characteristics, the relationship of components, and the materials of construction.

As to the inflated tire characteristics, when the tire is inflated to a normal operating pressure, belt 18 will provide a substantial restraint on the carcass 12. This restraint is with respect to the increase, as tire 10 is inflated, of the radial dimensions of carcass 12 as measured at circumferential ccnterline CL thereof and over a substantial area of carcass 12, extending from centerline CL and laterally of tire tread 20. In other words, if tire 10 were manufactured identically in all respects to bias-belted tire 10, but without belt 18, carcass 12 of such tire would, when the tire was inflated, increase in such radial dimensions by amounts substantially greater than would carcass 12 of tire 10 having belt 18. It will be apparent that in biasbelted tire 10 belt 18 will be required to carry a very substantial portion of the ring stresses present in inflated tire 10.

The relationship of the tire components is primarily characterized by carcass cord angle C, belt cord angle B and the differential of these angles. Cord angles B and C are measured relative to the equatorial plane containing centerline CL, or relative to this centerline CL. Carcass cord 14a angle C in each carcass ply 14p should be maintained between and 45 and belt cord 18a angle B in each belt ply 18p between 5 and 35 with belt cord 18a angle B even being desirably limited to be between 10 and in addition, angle C of carcass cords 14a should be at least 5 greater than belt angle B of belt 18. The preferred angle C ofcarcass cords 14a is 2840 and the preferred belt cord angle B of belt 18 is l8-28. As to belt 18, under 5 belt cord angle B makes a tire difficult to manufacture; under 18 belt cord angle B, the tire is difficult to manufacture for other reasons; and a l8 25 belt cord angle B gives good tire performance, good tread wear, and high separation resistance. The reason for having belt cord angle B lower than carcass cord angle C is, to getbelt 18 to act as a restrictor on both carcass l2 and tread 20. The natural tendency of the tire is to form a tire shape coordinate with the cord path. The belt cord angle must be less than the carcass cord angle because, as the cord angle does down, the tire has a flatter tread so belt 18 acts as a restrictor for the crown of tire carcass 12 if belt 18 has a lower cord angle than the rounder shape carcass 12 having higher cord angle C. if belt cord angle B exceeds the belt 18 is too round in the tire crown under tread 20 and provides insufficient restriction; belt 18 then becomes round like carcass 12 instead of flat like tread 10 so as not to provide the desired restriction. It should be apparent from P16. 3 that belt cords 18a in adjacent belt plies l8p1 and 18122 have different cord angles B relative to centerline CL and are oppositely and symmetrically inclined relative to centerline CL. Also, carcass cord 14a angle C in adjacent carcass plies Mp1 and Mp2 are also oppositely and symmetrically inclined relative to tire'centerline CL.

The drawings specifically disclose two carcass plies l4pl and l4p2, hereinafter generically referred to as belt plies 18p: and carcass plies 14p superimposed on each other and surrounded by two superimposed belt plies 18p in bias-belted tire l0. However, it should be readily apparent that this invention relates to all types of bias-belted. tires, even though only biasbelted tire 10 is illustrated anddescribed herein as an example. Therefore, when bias-belted tire 10 is referred to herein, the description and drawings are intended to include within their scope all operative variationsof the illustrated structure including: l) in carcass cord layer 14, any suitable number of carcass plies 14p; and (2) in beltil8, any suitable number of belt plies 18p, such as one, two'(as shown), three or more belt plies 18p; any number of belt plies 18 arranged above (outside) the carcass plies 14p as shown, or arranged below, between, some between and some above or some below, or sandwiched around (above and below) carcass plies 14p. However, the illustrated two carcass ply 14p and two belt ply 18p construction in bias-belted tire 10 is the preferred construction herein.

Polyester carcass cords 14a and fiber glassbelt cords are preferred in bias-belted tire 10 for numerous reasons, Polyester is preferred: (1) over nylon for its high speed impact resistance, better uniformity and stability, low' noise level and good tread wear and damping, and no flatspotting; and (2) over rayon for its better strength, uniformity, and durability; softer ride; lower rolling resistance; and better high speed and fatigue characteristics. Fiber glass is a preferred belt cord because of its high impact strength, compression modulus and 'stiffness; very high dynamic modulus; and low growth and creep.

The degree of restriction and the strength and success of bias-belted tire 10 is dependent on the materials of belt construction, namely the type andquantity (or weight) of belt cords 18a used, which will be emphasized hereinafter. If the quantity of material in belt cords 18a is not sufficient, belt 18 will notproperly restrict tire 10 to provide true bias-belted tire performance characteristics. lnsufficient belt material yields tire performance characteristics rnore closely associated with that of a bias angle tire; and'may under certain conditions, such as at high speed and with inadequate belt cord 18a in belt 18 permit the centrifugal force to overcome the strength of belt cords 18a to lead to tire cord rupture. If too much belt cord material is provided, the effective gauge is increased not only of the belt cords but also of the rubber compound thereon so that there is a possibility of separation of belt cords and their rubber skim, calender or belt ply coat compound.

First, there will be developed a universal formula useable for any type belt cords 18a (whether all cord be made of the same fiber or each cord be made of two or more merged different fibers, such as merged fiber glass and nylon, based on the tenacity of the uncoated belt cord 18a twisted to the specified amount and ready for assembly into a tire but prior to the final cord coating with rubber compound, hereinafter called untreated cord. Second, there will be derived a universal formula useable for all cord materials, and then a formula directed solely to the preferred fiber glass material for belt cords 18a. 1

The universal formula for designing belt cords 18a is based on the assumption that belt 18 in tire 10 is the sole structural member, at least in the tire crown area, that takes the entire tire load. This universal formula is expressed as:

7I'D X-TwX X a (1-.-.22 wherein the above factors are defined as follows with the measurement quantities of each given in parenthesis hereinafter:

W =weight of untreated belt cord 18a material, (lbs). T tenacity of untreated belt cord 18a, (lbs. forceinches/lb. mass). F, safety factor, (nondimensional. scaling factor). A workable safety factor is in the range of 4ll with 7 being the preferred factor of safety.

6 D outside diameter of tire to after inflation, (inches). glass or other cord material in cords 18a of belt 18 is not suffi- T,,. width of tire tread 20, (inches). cient to properly restrict the tire for bias-belted tire per- P== maximum allowable inflation pressure, (lbs. per sq. in.). formance; while if K or the safety factor Fs is above the max- This is the derivation of this formula. Since the stress is conimum value given, there is a possibility of separation of the ,sidflcdaahoop T 3 the life clownisi 5 fiber glass yarn or other belt cord material from its rubber I skim, calender or ply coat compound.

(Hoop t 2 P K in the last equation is a function of several physical 2 characteristics of the fiber glass in the belt, this may be ex- AISO, "IQ: pgessed 5;

Weight of belt cord= g figgfi fg fig i K z Q Tenacity of belt cord If we assume that the hoop width tread width and that the diameter D of tire is approximately the mean hoop diamewherein the above factors are defined as follows with measurement quantities of each being given in parenthesis hereinafter:

"' the": approximately equal.

DX P d density of the fiber glass in belt cord 18a, (lbs. per cubic inch). W 2 X X X 20 G total gauge of the fiber glass belt cord obtained by mulor T tiplying the number of belt plies 18p of belt 18 (here W a-D'T.PF. shown as two plies in the drawings) times the gauge of 21' fiber glass belt cord 18a used, (inches).

'- D, effective packing density, (dimensionless). This is a The workable factor of safety in the preceding and follow- 25 function of the amount of fiber glass versus the amount ing formulas is obtained by taking the normal factor of safety of 'g and type of fabric and dividing by the cosine of angle B (the cord angle of belt 1 tp cords 184) because these cords vary by this angle. from the cir- Safety i (nondlmensimial scahng cumferential hoop configuration so the cords take not only the Q cmd emc'ency for transm'mng mess (nqndlmenslonal hoop was but also an aim component. scaling factor) defined as equal to:

This formula may be.used to calculate the weight W of fiber glass in belt cords [8a in two typical tires T, and T, as follows: Youngs modulus of the belt 00rd 1811, D 1- Breaking tensile strength of the belt cord 180., (lbs. per

35 sq. in.) 2 W Hence, D, X G will give the dimensions of an equivalent thin I glass sheet. For tire T I The optimum value of K for fiber glass can be calculated by Y substituting these values in the above equation: 3.I4X(26.54) (5.78)(32)(7) 40 2 X 2.92 X 10 W=0.4903 lb. for I".= 7 0.0915X (2 X0025) X0.67X7 W=0.28 lb. for F,= W lV=0.771b. f0! F.=11 K=0.00310 2 X 2.92 X 10' W=0 6857 lb for F =7 I The last mentioned formula for the weight W of fiber glass W: 0:392 F 4 may be used to calculate the weight of fiber glass in the same W: L18 lbs. for 11 two typical tires T and T as follows:

This is another formula especially adapted for use with preferred fiber glass belt cords 180. When tire 10 has belt 18 I P composed solely of fiber glass cords 18a, the preferred weight W =K X T. X DX of fiber glass in the belt is given by the following equation:

'2' FortireT P 32 wherein the above factors are defined as follows with mea-. fi surement quantities of each being given in parentheses hereafter;

W Weight of fiber glas cord 18a in tire belt 18, lbs.). d T,, Width of tire tread 20, (inches). W= 0.262 lb. for K 0.0015 D Outside diameter of tire 20 after inflation (inches). -542 lb. for K 0.0031 I Maximum allowable inflation pressure of tire 10, (lbs. K fro-(m5 per sq. in.). 1 For tire T,: K It Composite constant, (dimensionless). P v 32 It has been found that satisfactory or superior tires having T XD X =28.14 X 7.19 X =202.3 the qualities desired are obtained wherein the value of K is l I selected from 0.00l5 to 0.0050 establishing, respectively, the d minimum and maximum weight of fiber glass to be used in belt an 18. The optimum or preferred K =0.003 l w? {8: If K in this last formula or the safety factor Fs in any of these 1:012

formulas is below the specified minimum, the amount of fiber Passenger tires can range in diameter D from 18 to 36 inches and in tread with T from 3% to 12 inches to give considerable variation in the weight W for the range of different size tires.

This' invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereofi The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive with the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are, therefore, intended to be embraced therein.

We claim: 1. A bias-belted tire, comprising: spaced tire beads; a carcass connecting said beads; a ground engaging tread on said carcass; said carcass including at least two bias plies extending from bead to head; a circumferential belt in said carcass beneath said tread; said belt comprising a plurality of superimposed belt plies; each belt ply having substantially parallel belt cords each defining a belt cord angle relative to the centerline of the tire; The cords in adjacent belt plies having different cord angles relative to the tire centerline; the weight of the untreated belt cords in said belt being approximately:

1rD X T w X P X F 2T wherein:

F =safety factor T=tenaeity of the untreated belt cords T.,=width of tire tread D=outside diameter of tire P={naxirnum allowable inflation pressure of the are.

2. A bias-belted tire, as set forth in claim 1, with F, being approximately 7.

3; A bias-belted tire, as set forth in claim 2, with said belt cords comprising continuous filament fiber glass.

4. A bias-belted tire, as set forth in claim 1, with F, being approximately 4 to 11.

5. A bias-belted tire,-as set forth in claim 4, with said belt cords comprising continuous filament fiber glass.

6. A bias-belted tire, as set forth in claim 4, with: each of said bias plies having generally parallel carcass cords of polyester, each of said'belt plies having generally parallel belt cords comprising fiber glass filaments. 7; A bias-belted tire, as set forth in claim 4, with: the carcass cord angle being in adjacent carcass plies oppositely and symmetrically inclined relative to the tire centerline; the belt cord angle being in adjacent belt plies oppositely and symmetrically inclined relative to the tire centerline; the carcass cord angle being at least greater than the belt cord angle. 8. A bias-belted tire, as set forth in claim 7, with said belt cord angle being between 5 and 36.

9. A bias-belted tire, as set forth in claim 7, with said belt cord angle beingbetween 10 and 30.

10. A bias-belted tire, as set forth in claim 7, with said belt cord angle being between 18 and 28.

11. A bias-belted tire, as set forth in claim 7, with said carcass cord'angle being between and 45.

12. A bias-belted tire, as set forth in claim 11, with said belt cord angle being between 18 and 28.

13. A bias-belted tire, as set forth in claim 12, with: each of said bias plies having generally parallel carcass cords of polyester filaments, each of said belt plies having generally parallel belt cords comprising'fiber glass filaments.

the cords in adjacent belt plies having different cord angles 1 relativeto the tire centerline; and the weight fiber glass belt cords in said belt being'approximately:

wherein:

T =width of tire tread v D=outside diameter of tire tread P=maximum allowable inflation pressure of the tire K =c0mposite constant.

15. A bias-belted tire, as set forth in claim, with wherein:

d=density of the fiber glass I I G=total gauge of the fiber glass obtained by multiplying the number of belt'plies times the gauge of the fiber glass belt cord:

D, effective packing density F, safety factor Q cord efficiency for transmitting stress defined as equal Youngs modulus of the belt cord Breaking tensile strength of the belt cord 16. A bias-belted tire, as set forth in claim 14, with said 17. A bias-belted tire, as set forth in claim 14, with said K between 0.0015 and 0.005.

A bias-belted tire, as set forth in claim 14, with:

each of said bias plies having generally parallel carcass cords of polyester; and

each of said belt plies having generally parallel belt cords comprising fiber glass filaments.

19. A bias-belted tire, as set forth in claim 14, with:

the carcass cord angle being adjacent carcass plies oppositely and symmetrically inclined relative to the tire centerline;

the belt cord angle being in adjacent belt pliesyoppositely cord angle being between 5 and 35.

21. A bias-belted tire, as set forth'in claim 19, with said belt cord angle being between 10 and 30.

22. A bias-belted tire, as set forth in claim 19, with said belt cord angle being between l8-and 28.

23. A bias-belted tire, as set forth in claim 19, with said .carcass cord angled being between 25 and 45.

24. A bias-belted tire, as set forth in claim 23, with said belt cord angle being between 18 and 28.

25. A bias-belted tire, as set forth in claim 24, with:

each of said belt plies having generally parallel belt cords comprising fiber glass filaments.

FORM PO-105O (ID-69) 3,5h ,9ll Dated December 22, 1970 Patent No.

Grover W Rye and Paul E Helms, Jr

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the specification: column 2, line 1 6, "as" should read at column 2, line 62, "move" should read more column 2, line 73, "an" should read in o In the claims: Claim 8, line 2, "36 should read 35 Signed and sealed this 11 th day of May I 971 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M'.'FLETCHER,JR. Attesting Officer WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR. Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 5037 a ,5. GOVEINMENT PRINTING OFFICE: II! 0- 

